Fractal rendering using distance estimation

Continuing my little exploration of the fractal world I tried out rendering using distance estimation (DEM) which is different from the more common escape time algorithm. One advantage of DEM is that it reduces noise close to the set border. DEM techniques seems more common when rendering fractals of higher dimensions though.

More information on DEM can be found here:

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julia_set
• http://www.mi.sanu.ac.rs/vismath/javier/b3.htm
• http://iquilezles.org/www/articles/distancefractals/distancefractals.htm
• http://blog.hvidtfeldts.net/index.php/2011/06/distance-estimated-3d-fractals-part-i/

I also implemented super sampling in an attempt to improve quality.

Of course, a note about fractals is not complete without some pictures. So… here we go.

Code at bitbucket. As usual.